• Fun
• Introduction of basic skills
• Reviewing of basic skills
• Refining of basic skills
The U7 Program Recommends the Following Practice Time Allotment:
• 85% Technical skills
• 15% Individual tactics
• 0% Team tactics
• 0% Team play
• 0% Strategy
U9:
Under Nine (9) Years of Age as of December 31St of the Current Season(8 and under)
The age and skill level of the team defines the seasonal plan. The Hockey Canada skills development programs are based on progressive steps and follow the appropriate allocation of time illustrated in the skill development pyramid.
Goals for the U9 Age Category Are:
• Fun
• Reviewing of basic skills
• Refining of basic skills
The U9 Program Recommends the Following Practice Time Allotment:
• 75% Technical skills
• 15% Individual tactics
• 10% Team tactics
• 0% Team play
• 0% Strategy
U11:
Under 11 Years of Age as of December 31st of the Current Season(10 and under)
The age and skill level of the team defines the seasonal plan. The Hockey Canada skills development programs are based on progressive steps and follow the appropriate allocation of time illustrated in the skill development pyramid.
Goals for the U11 Age Category are:
• Fun
• Refining of basic skills
• Intro to team tactics
The U11 Program Recommends the Following Practice Time Allotment:
• 50% Technical skills
• 20% Individual tactics
• 15% Team tactics
• 10% Team play
• 5% Strategy
U13:
Under 13 Years of Age as of December 31st of the Current Season(12 and under)
The age and skill level of the team defines the seasonal plan. The Hockey Canada skills development programs are based on progressive steps and follow the appropriate allocation of time illustrated in the skill development pyramid.
Goals for the U13 Age Category Are:
• Fun
• Refining of individual tactics
• Intro to team play
The U13 Program Recommends the Following Practice Time Allotment:
• 45% Technical skills
• 25% Individual tactics
• 10% Team tactics
• 10% Team play
• 10% Strategy
U15:
Under 15 Years of Age as of December 31st of the Current Season(14 and under)
The age and skill level of the team defines the seasonal plan. The Hockey Canada skills development programs are based on progressive steps and follow the appropriate allocation of time illustrated in the skill development pyramid.
Goals for the U15 Age Category are:
• Fun
• Refining team play
• Intro to team strategy
The U15 Program Recommends the Following Practice Time Allotment:
• 40% Technical skills
• 15% Individual tactics
• 20% Team tactics
• 15% Team play
• 10% Strategy
U18:
Under 18 Years of Age as of December 31st of the Current Season
The age and skill level of the team defines the seasonal plan. The Hockey Canada skills development programs are based on progressive steps and follow the appropriate allocation of time illustrated in the skill development pyramid.
Goals for the U18 age category are:
• Fun
• Refining team play and strategy
The U18 program recommends the following practice time allotment:
• 35% Technical skills
• 15% Individual tactics
• 20% Team tactics
• 15% Team play
• 10% Strategy
GOALTENDERS:
To be a good goaltender you must be an efficient skater. Your goaltender does not necessarily have to be the fastest skater on the team, but the best in terms of control and mobility. Pushes from post to post and ability to get quickly to plays laterally are essential for goalies to be able to perform at a high level.
Goaltenders must learn to push with strength and stop hard when needed. So when doing t-push or shuffle drills it is suggested that everything is done in sequence. Example: a coach should be calling out for the goalie to PUSH-STOP-PUSH-STOP-PUSH-STOP etc. giving one second in between pushes. This will give the goaltender time to recover and will keep him from developing bad habits by doing the drill too fast.
The ability for a goaltender to change directions quickly is also an absolute must as today’s game is a lot about trying to create a situation to get a goaltender moving in the wrong direction. In order to do this, and be effective, skating drills are a natural part of goaltender development.
Beginner
• 75% Movement and positional skills
• 20% Save movement
• 5% Tactics
Beginner development should be built on practicing individual technical skills 75% of total practice time
Intermediate
• 50% Movement and positional skills
• 20% Save movement
• 30% Tactics and transition
Intermediate development should be built on practicing individual technical skills 50% of total practice time
Advanced
• 35% Movement and positional skills
• 10% Post-save consequences
• 40% Tactics and transition
• 15% Advanced positioning
Advanced development should be built on practicing individual technical skills 35% of total practice time
